- Kauri Museum
- Waitangi Treaty Grounds
- Hole in the Rock Dolphin Cruise
- Glenbrook Vintage Railway
- Skyline Rotorua Gondola and Luge Ride
- Agrodome
- Thermal mud pools and geysers
- Te Puia traditional Māori Hāngi and Concert
- Te Papa, NZ's National Museum
- Cruise on the Interislander Ferry, Queen Charlotte Lounge
- Coastal Pacific Rail Journey
- International Antarctic Centre
- Christchurch Tram
- TranzAlpine Rail Journey
- Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
- Lakes District Museum
- HIGHLIGHT Milford Sound Overnight Cruise
- Larnach Castle and Devonshire Tea
- Olveston Historic Home
- Auckland City Sights Tour
- Wellington City Sights Tour
- Christchurch City Sights Tour
- Dunedin City Sights Tour
19 Day Signature Rail, Cruise and Coach
Combining rail, coach and breathtaking cruises including Milford Sound overnight cruise
TOUR CODE: SGPR19
DURATION: 19 days
STARTS: Auckland
FINISHES: Christchurch
STYLE: Signature Mid-Size Group Tours
COACH: 32 seat Premium Economy
ACCOMMODATION: 4 Star
No hidden extras
Prepaid Attractions
Coach Features
- 32 Premium Economy Comfort seats on a full-size coach
- 2 door access; seat back tray table; cup holder
- Restroom; daily onboard Wi-Fi allowance
Experience
- Personalised Meet and Greet on arrival
- Return airport transfers in New Zealand
- Professional Coach Captain
- Tour Leader
- 17 nights 4 star accommodation
- Milford Sound Overnight Cruise
- 6 two night stays
- Hotel porterage
- 3 rail journeys
- 4 cruises
- All sightseeing and prepaid attractions
- Extensive Optional Activities
- Signature Documentation Pack
Meals
- 18 cooked breakfasts including a specialty breakfast: Stratosfare Restaurant, Rotorua
- 12 sumptuous dinners including complimentary pre-dinner drink at the Welcome Dinner and 3 specialty dinners: Māori Hāngi and Concert, Rotorua; Walter Peak Homestead, Queenstown; Farewell Dinner including pre-dinner drink, Christchurch
- 2 delicious morning teas
- Enjoy GPT Hotel Wine Time (discounted drinks)
Day 1: Dinner not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm.
Tour Highlight: Milford Sound Overnight Cruise
THE MILFORD MARINER
For a majestic experience, spend the night on board the Milford Mariner. Cruise the full length of Milford Sound with commentary by a specialist nature guide. View the fiord’s spectacular waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife. You are bound to encounter seals, maybe dolphins and penguins. There are opportunities to explore the shoreline by tender boat or kayak (swimwear required) - or to simply relax on board. As evening falls, enjoy a delicious carvery buffet, prepared by an onboard chef. Relax in the company of your fellow travellers or take in some stargazing before retiring to your cabin. Next morning, indulge in a hearty breakfast before heading back out to the Tasman Sea (weather permitting) and exploring more of the breathtaking fiord.
Day-by-day Itinerary
(B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (SL) Specialty Lunch (D) Dinner (SD) Specialty Dinner
Arrive Auckland (D)
On arrival into Auckland, you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative and transferred to your hotel. This evening enjoy a complimentary pre-dinner drink when you meet your Tour Leader and travelling companions for dinner.
Hotel SkyCity Hotel
Auckland - Bay of Islands (B,D)
Enjoy a city tour of Auckland, dubbed the ‘City of Sails’, before travelling to Matakohe to enjoy a visit and informative talk at the Kauri Museum. Travel via Whangarei to Paihia, situated in the heart of the beautiful Bay of Islands. Enjoy a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the location of the signing of the treaty between the Māori tribes and the British.
Hotel Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands (2 nights)
Bay of Islands (Free Day) (B)
Today is a free day. Choose from the many optional activities available, including the Cape Reinga coach trip via Ninety Mile Beach or a spectacular scenic flight. This evening is also free, you may like to enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise (optional).
Hotel Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands
Bay of Islands - Auckland (B)
This morning cruise through the beautiful Bay of Islands aboard a luxury catamaran to Cape Brett, where a historic lighthouse keeps watch over Piercy Island, or as it is popularly known, the ‘Hole in the Rock’. Keep an eye out for dolphins and other marine life. Upon return to Paihia, travel south via Whangarei, before returning to Auckland. This evening is free to explore the many eateries surrounding your hotel.
Hotel SkyCity Hotel
Auckland - Rotorua (B,D)
This morning travel to Glenbrook Vintage Railway for a nostalgic 15 kilometre trip back in time on a beautifully restored vintage steam train including a delightful morning tea. Depart Glenbrook and travel through magnificent countryside of rolling hills and green pastures famous for dairying. Continue to Rotorua renowned for its geothermal activity and Māori culture.
Hotel Pullman Rotorua (City View Room) (2 nights)
Rotorua (B,SD)
Today begins with a gondola ride and breakfast at Skyline Rotorua. There is also time for a thrilling luge ride! Next stop is the Agrodome for an action-packed hour of farming entertainment and education that is unlike anything you’ve seen before. Enjoy some free time this afternoon before travelling to Te Puia to see the boiling mud pools and awesome geysers that Rotorua is famous for. This evening experience an entertaining Māori Hāngi and Concert.
Hotel Pullman Rotorua (City View Room)
Rotorua - Wellington (B,D)
Travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to the spectacular Huka Falls. Continue to Lake Taupo for some free time to enjoy this scenic lakeside town. Travel via the Tongariro National Park and continue south to New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington.
Hotel James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor (Executive Room) (2 nights)
Wellington (B)
A highlight this morning will be time to explore Gallipoli: A Scale of War exhibition at Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum. Cutting edge technology brings these stories to life through the eyes of New Zealanders who found themselves in extraordinary circumstances. Reboard your coach for an extensive city tour. Enjoy time at leisure this afternoon and this evening is also free to explore Wellington’s lively food scene.
Hotel James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor (Executive Room)
Wellington - Kaikōura - Christchurch (B,D)
This morning board the Interislander Ferry where you can relax in comfort in the Queen Charlotte Lounge. Enjoy the scenery as you travel through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Join the Coastal Pacific, a truly spectacular rail journey that follows a thin wedge of land between the Pacific Ocean and the Kaikōura Ranges. Meet your coach in the fishing village of Kaikōura for the journey to the garden city of Christchurch.
Hotel Distinction Christchurch Hotel (2 nights)
Christchurch (B)
Today visit the International Antarctic Centre, designed to provide an informative account of life in Antarctica. This is followed by an introductory city tour of Christchurch. This afternoon includes a journey on board the Christchurch Tram at leisure. This evening is free to explore the local cuisine.
Hotel Distinction Christchurch Hotel
Christchurch - Arthur’s Pass - Franz Josef (B,D)
This morning board the TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. Travel over massive viaducts, river valleys and spectacular gorges as you ascend to Arthur’s Pass located in the centre of the Southern Alps. Board your coach and travel to Hokitika, famous for its Greenstone before arriving at the township of Franz Josef where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.
Hotel Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (Douglas Wing)
Franz Josef - Queenstown (B)
See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south via the Haast Pass, an area of stunning beauty before arriving into picturesque Queenstown, a year-round resort situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu. This evening is free to dine at one of the many fine restaurants.
Hotel Millennium Hotel Queenstown (2 nights)
Queenstown (Free Day) (B,SD)
Today is a free day to explore Queenstown. Your Coach Captain and Tour Leader will assist with the many optional activities available. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back, relax and enjoy a delicious gourmet barbecue dinner featuring a menu of seasonal, fresh and locally sourced food at the Colonel’s Homestead. After dinner enjoy a short farm tour then reboard the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano as you cruise back to Queenstown.
Hotel Millennium Hotel Queenstown
Queenstown - Milford Sound Overnight Cruise (B,D)
This morning travel to Arrowtown and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue via Te Anau to Milford Sound and board the Milford Mariner for your amazing overnight cruise. There is plenty of time to view the fiord’s spectacular waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife - you’re bound to encounter seals and if you’re lucky maybe dolphins and penguins. There are opportunities to explore the shoreline by tender boat or kayak (swimwear required) - or to simply relax on board. As evening falls enjoy a delicious carvery buffet prepared freshly by the onboard chef.
Overnight Milford Mariner
Milford Sound - Te Anau (B,D)
Start the day with a hearty breakfast before heading back out to the Tasman Sea (weather permitting) to explore more of the fiord. Return to the wharf to meet your coach and enjoy the scenic drive to Te Anau where you will enjoy an afternoon at leisure. You may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional).
Hotel Distinction Luxmore Hotel Lake Te Anau (Deluxe Room)
Te Anau - Dunedin (B,D)
Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin, famous for its stunning Edwardian and Victorian architecture dating back to the gold rush of the 1800s. This afternoon enjoy a tour of Olveston Historic Home, beautifully preserved merchant’s home from the turn of the century containing a wealth of precious treasures of a bygone era.
Hotel Scenic Hotel Southern Cross (2 nights)
Dunedin (B)
This morning travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where you hear of the tragic and scandalous history on a guided tour. Enjoy time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by a delicious Devonshire Tea. Return to Dunedin for a city tour followed by some free time for optional activities. This evening is also free to dine at leisure.
Hotel Scenic Hotel Southern Cross
Dunedin - Christchurch (B,SD)
Today travel to the small town of Oamaru, famous for its limestone architecture before continuing to Christchurch. This evening enjoy a pre-dinner drink and reminisce on memories shared with your new friends at the farewell dinner.
Hotel Distinction Christchurch Hotel
Depart Christchurch (B)
Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday.
Tour Starts |
Tour Ends | Guaranteed Departure |
Brochure Price | Bonus Offer |
Your Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tuesday 26-Nov-24 |
Saturday 14-Dec-24 | SOLD OUT |
$11,199 pp, twin share |
- | $11,199 pp, twin share |
Wednesday 11-Dec-24 |
Sunday 29-Dec-24 | SOLD OUT |
$11,299 pp, twin share |
- | $11,299 pp, twin share |
Saturday 04-Jan-25 |
Wednesday 22-Jan-25 | SOLD OUT |
$11,199 pp, twin share |
- | $11,199 pp, twin share |
Friday 17-Jan-25 |
Tuesday 04-Feb-25 | SOLD OUT |
$11,199 pp, twin share |
- | $11,199 pp, twin share |
Friday 24-Jan-25 |
Tuesday 11-Feb-25 | SOLD OUT |
$11,199 pp, twin share |
- | $11,199 pp, twin share |
Tuesday 18-Feb-25 |
Saturday 08-Mar-25 | SOLD OUT |
$11,199 pp, twin share |
- | $11,199 pp, twin share |
Sunday 30-Mar-25 |
Thursday 17-Apr-25 | SOLD OUT |
$11,199 pp, twin share |
- | $11,199 pp, twin share |
Sunday 06-Apr-25 |
Thursday 24-Apr-25 | SOLD OUT |
$11,199 pp, twin share |
- | $11,199 pp, twin share |
Monday 21-Apr-25 |
Friday 09-May-25 | SOLD OUT |
$11,199 pp, twin share |
SEASONAL OFFER Save $300 ppi |
$10,899 pp, twin share |
Tuesday 29-Apr-25 |
Saturday 17-May-25 | SOLD OUT |
$11,199 pp, twin share |
SEASONAL OFFER Save $300 ppi |
$10,899 pp, twin share |
Pre & Post Stays
Auckland | $185 pp, twin share | $370 single |
Christchurch | $170 pp, twin share | $340 single |